Louisiana – Governor Jeff Landry has implemented an executive order instituting a hiring freeze across the executive branch of state government in an effort to address a projected fiscal shortfall.
The freeze aims to save $20 million annually from the state general fund. This measure will impact all state government departments and agencies but will not extend to local government entities.
The hiring freeze is part of a broader strategy to manage the fiscal challenges that Governor Landry inherited from the previous administration. The 2025-2026 state budget was designed using a standstill approach, eliminating one-time expenses and integrating cost-saving measures.
In addition to the freeze, Landry called a special legislative session on October 26, 2024, to address the state’s revenue shortfall, with an emphasis on avoiding significant cuts to healthcare and education funding.
The session also aimed to develop a sustainable methodology for raising teacher and school personnel pay and finding long-term revenue solutions to support economic growth.
While the legislature passed Constitutional Amendment 2, voters rejected it on March 29, 2025, further complicating efforts to balance the state’s budget. Governor Landry stressed that these measures were necessary to ensure the long-term fiscal stability of Louisiana and to protect vital services for the state’s most vulnerable populations.
“This temporary hiring freeze will help us rein in spending and provide more flexibility for the Legislature to explore options that protect essential services and ensure the future prosperity of Louisiana,” Landry stated.